Success Follows Action
Success is not an accident.
People who achieve success in their lives do things a certain way. They aren’t necessarily smarter, more worthy or more talented.
It doesn’t matter whether they are working toward a successful career, a successful relationship, a successful project or a successful day. Successful high achievers do something that makes them stand out from the average lot.
They take action. Success follows action.
When Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team, he almost quit sports altogether. His mom told him that if he wanted to make the team, he had to work hard over the summer. Jordan decided to take action. He practiced relentlessly and in doing so developed an impressive work ethic that served him his entire monumental career. Jordan said, “I’m going to show you. Nobody will ever work as hard as I work.”
Success follows action.
Dolly Parton grew up, one of twelve children, in abject poverty. At the age of 10, she sang on stage for the first time and realized that was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She has become a movie star, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and of course one of the most celebrated singers in history. Parton is renowned for her song writing. Two of her greatest hits, Jolene and I Will Always Love You were written on the same day. She writes every day and has only recorded a fraction of the 3000+ songs she has copywritten. “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
Success follows action.
I recently made the observation that I take my relationships for granted. I assume my friends will be there when I call. I don’t make enough effort to keep those bonds strong. I let too much time go between contacts and I get so wrapped up in my own pursuits that I don’t check-in to see how they are doing. I rely on them to make the effort, and now that I am conscious of that, I feel bad about it.
That is something that needs to change. I must take action to improve the way I approach important relationships in my life. I must make a conscious effort to plug-in with others. That is something I will be working on moving forward.
Success is not an accident. Success follows action.
